Bending the Curve of Global Freshwater Biodiversity Loss: An Emergency Recovery Plan

2020/01/09 by David Tickner, Jeffrey J. Opperman, Jeffrey J Opperman +34 · 1 voice · 74 citations
Environmental Science · Social Sciences · #Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Transboundary Water Resource Management

paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/biosci/biaa002

openalex publication_date 2020/01/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

Despite their limited spatial extent, freshwater ecosystems host remarkable biodiversity, including one-third of all vertebrate species. This biodiversity is declining dramatically: Globally, wetlands are vanishing three times faster than forests, and freshwater vertebrate populations have fallen more than twice as steeply as terrestrial or marine populations. Threats to freshwater biodiversity are well documented but coordinated action to reverse the decline is lacking. We present an Emergency Recovery Plan to bend the curve of freshwater biodiversity loss. Priority actions include accelerating implementation of environmental flows; improving water quality; protecting and restoring critical habitats; managing the exploitation of freshwater ecosystem resources, especially species and riverine aggregates; preventing and controlling nonnative species invasions; and safeguarding and restoring river connectivity. We recommend adjustments to targets and indicators for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals and roles for national and international state and nonstate actors.

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Discussions

• One of the main conclusions of our book is that the Lakes in Ireland are under threat from all sides. The solutions to declining water quality are already known. They need to be implemented. doi.org/ [bsky, 4 points, 1 comments]

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